Romanian president nominates fourth head of government amid political crisis

In Romania, President Nicusor Dan has nominated a new head of government for the fourth time. The pro-European politician proposed the independent 55-year-old diplomat and former journalist Luca Niculescu as the new prime minister. "I chose the person who has the best chance of forming a majority," Dan told reporters. Romania is in the midst of a political crisis.

Niculescu is the fourth candidate nominated by President Dan since the fall of Ilie Bolojan's government in early May. Bolojan continues to carry out official duties in an acting capacity. One candidate withdrew his application before the vote, another failed in parliament in June, and a third at the end of September.

Niculescu is a "diplomat, someone whose job is to reconcile positions," said the Romanian head of state about his fourth nomination. As State Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Niculescu is currently working on Romania's accession process to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). He previously worked, among other things, as an ambassador, for example in France.

Right-wing extremist party calls for new elections

With three failed candidates, the legal requirements for early elections have already been met. However, President Dan has so far rejected this step. By naming a fourth candidate, he hopes to avoid early elections from which the right-wing extremist party AUR could emerge stronger. He himself has repeatedly ruled out a government with AUR participation.

The right-wing extremist AUR is calling for early elections. In two recently published surveys it is in first place with 36 percent and almost 40 percent respectively. There have not been early elections in the country since the end of communism in 1989.